My dog Tioga is very in tune with my illness. I think it's true of most domestic animals. He will be 12 in December. We have had him since he was 7 weeks old.
He is a chocolate labrador retriever.
We're not sure how much longer he will be around. He's had kidney failure - he suffers from arthritis, has a hernia, and is developing cataracts. He has trouble getting up the stairs to our house and his walks seem to get shorter every month. He must have pain, but he seems to adapt to it and just keeps on keeping on.
Tioga is so smart - my son taught him many tricks that are uncommon with other dogs. Here's an example: Tioga used to bark at ALL motorcycles. It was a habit we wanted to break, so my son worked with him for a couple weeks. And guess what, he no longer barks at Harleys. Somehow Jim tought him it was OK to bark at mortycycles, just not at Harleys. To this day, Tioga still does not bark at the Harleys. Amazing. My son was a dog whisperer of sorts. I could give many more examples - this is one of the better ones.
Anyway, the point of my post is simple. It's a known fact that people with mood disorders benefit more than a lot of others from the companionship of their animals. During one of my hospitalizations, a support group member brought his therapy dog, a labrador retriever, for a visit. It was an awesome experience for me - I truly believe my stay was shortened a bit because of the connection I made with that dog.
Tioga has been there for me thru some terrible depressions as well as some angry or happy manics. I actually put him in the car and took him with me to the emergency room one year when I ended up in the hospital. At the time, he was my strongest support and I felt safe when he was with me. I was highly manic, but the good old boy stayed right by my side and supported me. At times, he is my very best friend. He never fails me. Wish we humans could be more like that.
Treasure your animals - they are only with us for a while.
Judy
a very nice posting. I have a chocolate lab as well, hes so smart and its a know fact that they are tremendeous support for us. sorry to hear yours isnt doing well, maybe things will get better.
Kody...thank you so much for your sweet response. Aren't labs great? John and I have ALWAYS had labradors since we were first married. I think the total number is 7. They are so calm, so good around children, make good service dogs, and they are loyal to a fault. Thanks again for your comments. Hope to hear more from you here in this forum. Take gentle care...
Judy
me too, the lost of my lab a few months ago set me off on manic episodes like crazy i was so down I watched her get hit while i was cutting the grass, she ran to my feet afte wards and looked up at me then colapsed. I was devistated then my manic depression kicked in lasting for months along with many episodes of rage.
I had to change my meds and stuff but it took awhile for me to get over the loss. Iv recently have a new chocolate lab, Kodie, I luv him so much he is just awesome, he is my shadow he is just 12 weeks now were still pottie training. Hes picked up this snapping habit, its not a mean snap bit he likes bitting on the hands and stuff, when he gets excited, so im kinda in a dilema with that, Iv ben telling him no and holding his mouth shut, kinda trying to rediredt his thoughts but I hope its just something he will grow out of.
He certainly will grow out of it. And you are doing the right things to get him to learn to stop. Puppies are sure rambunctious.
Glad you have this little pup to help heal your wounds. It's so hard to lose our animals.
Judy
Kody,
If he is under sixteen weeks you can roll him on his back ( gently) when he is biting and hold him there until he calms down and submits this will simulate what his mother would have down if he had stayed with her. Lots of exercise will help too. Also after you tell him no when he bites give him something he can chew on and positively reinforce that behavior with praise. He will soon learn that he can chew on some things and be rewarded and he will hopefully gravitate towards chewing on those things. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train an animal. Catch your lab doing something you like and reward him for it. You will be amazed at what you can teach him.
birdbreather...WOW - we did a lot of the same things you are talking about with Tioga when he was a pup. You really know about dogs. Thanks.
oh yeah iv ben trying that he still bites he thinks im playing so i put him on his side and do that domination thing like cesar milan, it helps for a while, You know lab pups have the sharpest teeth. sometimes unannounced he will come up and start bitting on me foot or heel, man that hurts. but hes so cute, i have a picture of him on my profile page.